Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-20
BaiIu Kfnne!,fr 3nurnal.
Two Kinds of Feeding.

Mid-winter is period of little incident
at the farm. There is daily round of
duties at the house. barn, stable and sheep
shed which require constant performance,
with little variation, from month to month !;
and unless the farmer has considerable
amount of extra work on hand IN the way
of getting out wood or lumber, hauling
hay. working with his team on some OF
our many ice fields, or job OF similar
nature which keeps himself and team con-
stantly employed making long day. the
time is liable to drag somewhat and be-
come dull, now that the roads keep so
badly blocked by continuous storms and
driving is not pleasant.
There is great difference however in
the plans and methods of farmers, and in
the way they have of spending the dull
mid-winter season at the farm headquar-
ters. We have often thought that the
good farmer could be distinguished quite
as well at his home and among his stock
in winter, as when upon his fields during
the season of active farm work, or by the
results Of his methods and practice as
shown in general farm management. The
care of the stock at this season of the year
may be taken as an illustration. In the
first place TIE good farmer, the man who
thoroughly loves and understands farming
and stock keeping-the latter being one
Of the highest departments of farming
will first of all provide warm quarters for
his domestic animals, and will also make
ample provision tor their water and feed.
1t was formerly thought that cattle grow
ing or butter aairying in winter could not
be made profitable; that all the gain in
live stock was made during the
period of grazing. But this is
not so in modern farming. The
winter season may be made one of growth,
increase and profit in the live stock at the
farm. And in obtaining this profit is
where the skill of the good farmer comes
in. Why?
Judicious feeding of the farm animals
is study, and the farmer who makes it a
study is the one who will succeed in max
ing gain on each animal fed for growth,
and each cow kept for milk, during the
entire water. In herd of q dozen head
OF cattle there will be almost as much
difference in personal characteristics as in
50 many human beings, although it will
not be manifest in the same way in each
animal We have seen some cows pick
and fuss over foddering of good hay like
fastidiOus eater at table over his order
while another will take the same kind OF
hay and whlsk it down with the utmost
gusto and relish.
One animal will thrive, be hearty, have
sleek coat and do well on rough, coarse
fodder another would not eat enough of tc
make a good meal. Two animals of al.
most exactly similar live weight, will be
constituted so differently in temperament
that one will require a third greater hay
and provender ration for week, to pro
duce the same yield of milk. than the other
will require.
Now aside from these different charac-
teristics in animals, we find constantly a
difference in farmers and feeders having
the care of the animals. Go into their
barns and note this difference at once. In
one the barn floor will be piled with rak-
ings and leavings of hay from the differ
ent fodderings, the managers will be full of
orts and some of the cattle will
appear hide-b bound, out OF condition. and
unthrfty. Thisis the care which the
poor farmer gives his animals, and
the result can be plainly seen. In the
other barn the floor is clean and neat
there is no clutter or waste; here is a pile
OF hay in one place, pitched from the
NOW for the nights foddering in another
is an extra ration of fine or choicer hay for
an animal of peculiar appetite, or for a
mich COW soon to come in. The managers
collect and there is no waste in any part
of the business The animals, their ants
and Municipalities are studied, and IN con
sequence of this close care and attention,
there is growth and profit. 1t is inn
possible not to see the business of
the good farmer as plain here
in this barn, yard and stock in winter. as
in the good fields or fine crops in summer
In fact, we think more so; we feel sure
that the evidence of good farm manage
ment is palmer in the former than in the
latter case. And the farmer who makes
this constant study of feeding in winter
is sure to succeed to the highest degree
in obtaining profit from his focks and
herds right straight along the year round,
sun,mer and wiuter